The Secretary of State is in Italy for emergency talks, he’s meeting the Vatican and Deputy PM Tajani today…
Relations hit a new low after Trump berated PM Meloni, he’s furious she didn’t back the strikes on Iran…
Trump is still threatening to withdraw U.S. troops from Italian soil, Rubio’s mission is “complicated” at best…
Meloni previously called out Trump’s remarks against Leo, the rift in the NATO alliance is wide open…
Rubio is the firefighter today, but the President is still holding the match. Meloni isn’t backing down, Rubio needs more than just nice words to save this alliance.
“Marco Rubio will meet with the Pope and the Italian government to thaw relations. The trip takes place against the backdrop of sharp statements by Donald Trump addressed to the parties.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Rome this week for a series of meetings with representatives of the Vatican and the Italian government. The trip takes place against a backdrop of strained relations between the countries. This was reported by Corriere della Sera, according to UNN.
Details
According to the publication, Marco Rubio is scheduled to hold several talks on Thursday and Friday. In particular, meetings are planned with the Holy See’s Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Pope Francis.
He will also meet with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and hold a luncheon with Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. In addition, a meeting with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has not been ruled out.
The visit takes place against the backdrop of statements by Donald Trump, who has previously criticized the Italian government and its leader. He also made sharp remarks addressed to the Pope, calling him “weak on crime” and “terrible on foreign policy.”
In response, the Pope stated: “I am not a politician, I will continue to speak out against war.””
Trump confirms he is “actively evaluating” the removal of 12,662 troops from Italy. 5,000 troops were already ordered out of Germany this week; the threat is backed by action.
“The US is withdrawing 5,000 troops from Germany, the Pentagon announced on Friday, as Donald Trump also threatened Italy and Spain for not helping to reopen the strait of Hormuz.
The president’s move to reduce the number of personnel deployed in Germany came after the country’s chancellor, Friedrich Merz, said the US was being “humiliated” by Iran.”
Italy officially denied permission for U.S. planes to ferry Iran-bound weapons from Sicilian bases.
“Donald Trump has threatened to pull American troops out of Italy, saying the country had not been helpful to the United States, in the latest escalation of tensions between Washington and its NATO allies over the ongoing war with Iran.
Asked on Thursday whether he would consider withdrawing American forces from Italy and Spain, the US president replied: “Probably… Look, why shouldn’t I? Italy has not been of any help to us”. Trump also hit out at Spain which he said “has been horrible, absolutely horrible.””